Illuminated display devices

ABSTRACT

An illuminated display consists in a number of light box modules (11) each having a casing (12,13,14,15,16) and a light source within the casing for illuminating a transparency (23). Each module (11) is adapted for mounting to a skeletal support frame (7) in contiguous relationship with another. Preferably the module casing has sidewalls which on at least 3 sides include an inward step (14) adapted to engage members (7) of the frame.

FIELD OF USE

This invention relates to apparatus for use for providing an illuminateddisplay and to a method of manufacture of an illuminated display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light boxes providing strong uniform illumination for viewing photgrahictransparencies and the like are well known and typically consist of arectangular box containing a light source and provided on one face witha window of translucent glass which acts as a light diffuser and onwhich transparencies to be viewed may be placed.

It is also known to provide display units which consist in a light-boxaontaining a light source and having a single photographic transparencyor the like mounted between the light source and viewers; thetransparencies being illuminated for viewing by transmitted light.Sometimes a plurality of transparencies are mounted so as to beilluminated from the light source or sources within the light box. Inlarge displays of this type one or more light sources may be housedwithin the box and a plurality of windows may be provided on the displayface each window having a transparency. Commonly the windows are spacedone from another by a window frame.

In such cases the light box is typically individually manufacturedhaving regard to the size of transparencies to be displayed, the displayarrangement desired and the overall size of the display required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular systemwhereby an illuminated display may be assembled from a relatively smallnumber of part types to provide a large variety of display areadimensions and configurations.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect the invention consists in an illuminated displaycomprising a plurality of light box modules; each module including acasing, a light source within the casing and having means for mounting atransparency to be displayed by light transmitted from said sourcethrough the transparency, each module being adapted for mounting to askeletal support frame in contiguous relationship with a like light boxmodule.

In preferred embodiments of the invention each module is provided withmeans for mounting a transparency so that the transparency displayed byone module appears to be substantially contiguous with a transparencydisplayed by a contiguous module. This enables a picture having a largearea (for example 120×120 cm) to be composed from transparencies each ofa small area, for example 4 transparencies each of 30×30 cm without itbeing obvious that the composition is a montage.

In a preferred embodiment each module is adapted for clip mounting andthe display area may be extended in two dimensions of a plane or inthree dimensions for example on the surface of a cube. Means areprovided whereby the modules may readily be dismounted from theframework and reassembled therewith in a different configuration and thetransparencies may be changed without de-mounting modules from thesupporting frame.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated, by way of example only,in the drawings herewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a support frame suitable for the support of two horizontalrows of display units.

FIG. 2 shows, in greater detail, one of the display units shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 shows a support frame of different form from that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a spring clip used for holding the display unit of FIG. 2on a support frame.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the display unit of FIG. 2 taken on line5--5 shown mounted to a support frame.

FIGS. 6A-6F show six forms of a corner or junction piece.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 there are shown support frames formounting light box modules. Each consists of a plurality of straighttubular portions 7 of square cross section adjoined by one of thejunction pieces shown in FIG. 6. Each of these junction pieces has anumber of stub-like limbs depending on the number of portions 7 to beaccommodated by it. For example, at each of the joints 8 in the framesshown in FIGS. 1 and 3 a tee 6A is employed, at each of joints 9 athree-way junction-piece such as 6B is used, and at 10 a simplecross-piece as shown in 6E.

The stub limbs of the junction pieces are firmly secured in the openends of portions 7 preferably, for simplicity of attachment anddismantling, by simply being formed and sized as firm friction fitsinside the tube ends.

In any framework assemblage built up in the manner indicated, at leasttwo parallel members 7 are provided which between them are able toaccept one or more light-box modules 11 as shown in FIG. 1.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, each of the light-box modules comprisesa casing having side-walls which on at least three sides of the casingare in two portions 12 and 13 separated by a step 14. Portion 13 is ableto enter between an assembled pair of the frame portions 7 with steps 14resting against those frame portions. Casing wall portions 13 merge intotapered portions 15 and these, in turn, merge into casing back-plate 16.The tapered portions 15 are provided so that two light-boxes may beplaced side-by-side with their front faces substantially at rightangles.

From this last point concerning light-box placement, it will beappreciated that the frame members 7 may be arranged so that thelight-boxes may extend variably either laterally or vertically, or bearrayed in two planes at right-angles or on three or more sides of acubic or like array.

The open front of each light-box is framed by four members 17, mitredtogether at their ends. Each of these members has a channel formation toreceive the free edges of casing portions 12 and those at the bottom andsides each have transparent keeper flanges 21 providing top openings 22through which items for display may be descended for retention as thefront walls of the light-boxes.

The matters for display consist of a transparency 23 portraying thematter to be displayed, a rear backing plate 24 made of translucentmaterial such as acrylic or frosted glass, and a front support plate 25made of transparent acrylic, glass or the like.

These three items (23, 24 and 25) can be descended into frame members 17via top opening 22 by keeper flanges 21 for retention.

The light-boxes each carry spring clips shown in more detail in FIG. 4and comprising a shank 26 which is joined to the light-box by rivetingor otherwise, and a latch portion 27 able to engage behind the member 7to which the light-box is applied in a snap-fitting manner.

Each of the light-boxes is furnished with a light source 18 withconventional fittings and circuiting arrangements therefor and thecasing is provided with ventilation holes 28.

For preference one of the light-boxes in a pural array thereof(light-box "A" in FIG. 1 for example) is used as a main box connectablewith or including a power source, as indicated at 28, while the otherlight boxes in the array are connected to box "A" and a conventionallycontrolled switch means, housed in box "A", whereby the light source ofa whole group of boxes or a combination of boxes may be "on" or "off" orillumination of the group or of combinations may be in any selectedsequence and at such timing as may be required.

For preference the casing is moulded from a plastics material; and thelight box module 11 is assembled from the casing and channel formationmembers 17 which makes for a simple inexpensive construction. A lampholder, circuit sockets, clips and the like may be pop rivet fastened tomoulded mounting locations.

It is strongly preferred that the module be sized to accept a 30 cm×30cm transparency. That size enables the frame to receive transparenciesmade by cutting A3 colour transparencies which may be prepared, forexample, by a photocopying process at relatively low cost in comparisonwith the cost of manufacture of photographic transparencies of a largearea.

As shown in FIG. 5 the distance between frame member 17 and step 14 ispreferably less at the lower edge 12 than at the upper edge 12 of module11 so that when the module is mounted in a vertical frame work with asecond module contiguous and above the first the lower edge 12 of theupper module does not interfere with insertion or removal oftransparencies from the lower module.

It will be understood that the skeletal frame may consist of members ofa different cross-section or configuration from that of the exampleillustrated and may be arranged in any desired manner. The spring clipsdescribed in FIG. 4 are highly preferred for mounting light box modulesto a frame but other means for mounting may be employed within the scopehereof.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teaching hereofthe invention may be embodied in many forms and all such embodiments aredeemed to be within the scope hereof.

I claim:
 1. An illuminated display comprising a skeletal support framean a plurality of light box modules,the skeletal support frame forming aplurality of contiguous, rectangular openings, each opening being of apredetermined size to receive one light box module, the front of thesupport frame defining an outside vertical surface, each moduleincluding a casing, a light source within the casing and means formounting a transparency in front of the light source, each casing have afirst rectangular portion of a larger size than the rectangular openingin the skeletal frame which receives the casing, and a secondrectangular portion of smaller size than the opening, the first andsecond rectangular portions of the casing being contiguous and having avertical step between them, each casing being removably inserted in anopening in the frame with the step abutting the outside vertical surfaceof the frame, the first rectangular portion projecting outwardly beyondthe vertical surface of the frame and the second portion of the casingfitting within the rectangular opening, releasable means for retainingthe module within the frame, the means for mounting the transparency inthe module being a keeper flange supported by the projecting firstrectangular portion of the casing, the top portion of the keeper flangebeing open to receive the transparency, the top of the said firstrectangular portion of the casing extending outwardly from the step agreater distance that the bottom portion thereby to form an anglebetween the keeper flange and the step, whereby the top opening of thekeeper flange of a first lower module is forward of the bottom edge ofthe keeper flange of a second upper module which is located contiguouswith the top edge of the first module so that a transparency may beinserted and removed from the first module without removing eithermodule from the frame.
 2. An illuminated display according to claim 1wherein the casing of each module is positioned in the frame such that atransparency displayed by one module is substantially contiguous with atransparency displayed by an adjacent module.
 3. An illuminated displayaccording to claim 1 wherein one module is mounted in the frame memberin contiguous relationship with a first edge of another like module anda third like module is mounted in contiguous relationship with a secondedge of the said other module, which second edge is perpendicular to thesaid first edge.
 4. An illuminated display according to claim 1 whereintwo modules are mounted in the frame member adjacent each other andwherein the transparencies lie in planes normal to each other.
 5. Anilluminated display according to claim 1 wherein the transparencymounting means is of a size sufficient to receive a transparency of 30cm×30 cm.
 6. An illuminated display according to claim 1 wherein aplurality of modules are electrically connected with a master module,the master module including electronic control means for switching thelight of each module on in a predetermined sequence of combinations. 7.An illuminated display according to claim 1 wherein said light boxmodules are molded from a plastic material and have inwardly taperingsidewalls located within the frame.
 8. An illuminated display accordingto claim 1 wherein the releasable means is at least one spring clipengagable between the casing and the portion of the frame forming therectangular opening.